This
experiment he did once on his Majesty's request, in the great
Hall of Westminster; and although a hot summer day had been
chosen by the King, it became so cold in the Hall, that James and
his followers took to their heels in hasty flight.
"With a certain instrument, he could draw an incredible quantity
of water out of a well or river.
"By his peculiar ingenuity, he could, at all times of the year,
even in the midst of winter, hatch chickens and ducklings without
using hens or ducks.
"He made instruments, by means of which were seen pictures and
portraits; for instance, he could show you kings, princes,
nobles, although residing at that moment in foreign countries.
And there was no paint nor painter's work to be seen, so that you
saw a picture in appearance, but not in reality."
Perhaps a magic lantern?
"He could make a glass, that placed in the dark near him or
another, drew the light of a candle, standing at the other end of
a long room, with such force, that the glass near him reflected
so much light as to enable him to see to read perfectly."
Was this done by parallel parabolical mirrors?
"He could make a plane glass without grinding it on either side,
in which people saw themselves reflected seven times.
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